Arizona Roadrunner
I took these pictures of an Arizona Roadrunner while we were out on one of our quad rides. I know the pictures aren't that great but I was trying to get him before he took off. Man, they are fast little critters!
The first picture shows him with all the feathers down but the second shows him doing some sort of display. I realize that some animals puff up to look bigger or have some sort of defensive display. The second one looks to me like he is trying to appear like an animal with large eyes (the spots on his back).


I looked in a Arizona bird book that I have but it only says that a roadrunner will present with a display when protecting it's nest but it's not specific on what kind of display and what that display is supposed to represent. Does anyone know anything about the display of roadrunners and what it means?


Comments: 34
One thing I know, if you have ever watched one hunt and catch a big lizard, you can see they are descended from dinosaurs, ha ha. They remind me of those shows you see on TV or the movie Jurassic Park; the way they move and attack!
Neat photos Toni, thanks.
Thank you everyone!
"ebird" which is a part of "eNature"
and the Cornell Education's site on birds called "All About Birds"
I like the "Beep, Beep" roadrunner but I sure like coyote best. LOL.
Happy New Year!!!
I had hoped to get to AZ for X-mas, but it wasn't in the cards this year. My daughter sent me some photos from her phone that she took while camping in Camp Verde. They were camping, and it snowed!!!